christian book reader february/march 2014

MOTHER-DAUGHTER WRITING OPPORTUNITY BRINGS PIONEER AUTHOR BACK TO WORK

JANETTE OKE

FREE

F e b r u a r y • M a r c h 2 0 1 4

SEE INSIDE:Angel Stories Do Heavenly Beings Really Visit Us?

John HageeLearn How the Bible and Science Align

Kyle Idleman Discover the Power of the ‘Aha Moment’

ALSO:Ruth GrahamWhat Life Was Like With Billy Graham

Rachel HauckDiscover the Truth That Changes Everything

Does yourspouse speak the same

language as you?

New York Times best-selling author of The Five Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman shows how communication and intimacy are key points in developing a successful marriage by focusing on principles grounded in the Bible.

February-March 2014 | CHRISTIAN BOOK READER 3

© 2014 Christian Book Reader (ISBN 978-1-62136-628-7) is published bi-monthly by Plus Publications. Nothing that appears in Christian Book Reader may be reprinted without permission. PRINTED IN THE USA

F E B R U A R Y - M A R C H 2 0 1 4V o l u m e 1 , N u m b e r 3

What would bring you out of retirement? That’s the question that confronted best-selling historical romance author Janette Oke, the subject of our cover story this month.

When Michael Landon Jr. directed a Hallmark Channel movie based on Oke’s When Calls the Heart and chose to create more characters based on the story, the author—whose writings have helped to grow Christian fiction as a genre—responded by coming out of retirement to write with her author-daughter, Laurel Oke Logan. In a special Q&A, the two chat with Christian Book Reader about their new book, Where Courage Calls.

Another award-winning novelist, Rachel Hauck, shares a personal letter with her readers about her new book, Princess Ever After. It’s also interesting to note that the Florida-based author even writes from an ivory tower!

Author Kyle Idleman is teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church, one of America’s largest churches, in Louisville, Ky. An exceptional communicator, Idleman has penned such popular titles as Not a Fan and Gods at War. In his new book, AHA, he talks about those moments of clarity where you just get it, where you truly understand what God is saying—and it makes a difference in our lives. Don’t we all want that?

Another pastor who experienced an “aha” moment when he realized how he could make his own marriage work is Gary Chapman, author of the New York Times best-seller The 5 Love Languages. The book has taken on a life of its own, spawning related titles that touch on relationships beyond that of husband and wife. Chapman shows how you can learn to truly feel love and give it through discovering your primary love language.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand what people are trying to communicate, but what about what God is saying to us? That’s the subject of pastor and author John Hagee’s Four Blood Moons, in which he examines how prophecy and astronomy are connected. And author Ray Beeson considers a war going on in the heavens in Signed in His Blood.

Angels are a fascinating subject, and Jonathan Nixon offers a collection of accounts about them in Angel Stories, including a scripture story about angels from John Paul Jackson.

Evangelist Billy Graham recently turned 95 years old. Graham has made his mark on the world, and many who are grateful for his simple gospel message have told their stories in a collection compiled by three of his grandchildren. We also look at Billy’s life with his wife, Ruth, in another work celebrating their legacy.

The Grahams certainly knew the value of studying the Scriptures and so does David Jeremiah, a pastor you may recognize from his Turning Point broadcast. Learn more about his new study Bible in this issue.

Happy reading!

The Book Lovers at Christian Book Reader

BOOK HIGHLIGHTS: 10 Enhance Your Relationships by Finding Your Love Language‘Love Languages’ author Gary Chapman shares the simple concept that revitalized his marriage. 16 Grateful to Graham: Celebrating the Evangelist’s Impact on the WorldBilly Graham’s grandchildren offer a collection of touching stories people have shared about the famed evangelist.

BOOK EXCERPTS:12 Entertaining Angels From Heaven—Really?John Paul Jackson reveals that celestial beings are active in our world today.

14 Walking in Humility—Why You Should Want ToRather than try to be a superwoman, Ruth Graham learned how to be humble. 18 Gear Up and Get Ready for the Battle of Your LifeThe Bible tells believers to “fight the good fight.” Learn what that means.

20 God Is Speaking—Being Aware of the Signs of the TimesScientists have observed a “blood moon” pattern—learn what it means. 26 Finding Clarity—Your Spiritual ‘Aha’ MomentKyle Idleman explains what it means to experience a spiritual “Aha.”

BIBLE HIGHLIGHT:22 Top Teacher Shares Wealth of Study Notes in New BibleOne of America’s most respected ministry leaders offers insights from years of study in this new study edition.

Contents COVER STORY:4 Back to the Prairie—TogetherJanette Oke comes out of retirement to write with her daughter.

AUTHOR HIGHLIGHT:8 Discover What It Means to Live Like a PrincessRachel Hauck’s Princess Ever After reflects on the identity and destiny of an everyday girl.

Laurel Oke Logan & Janette Oke

CHRISTIANBOOK READER ®Your Guide to inspirational readinG

4 CHRISTIAN BOOK READER | February-March 2014

Janette Oke’s first novel, Love Comes Softly, ushered in a publishing phenomenon in inspirational fiction and won the hearts of millions of readers. Since then, she has won multiple awards, including the CBA Life Impact Award and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s Chairperson’s Award. Her gentle prairie romances have sold

more than 30 million copies. She joins Christian Book Reader, along with her daughter and co-author, Laurel Oke Logan, to share a sneak peek at their upcoming release, Where Courage Calls.

Q: Janette, what made you decide to return to prairie romance after 14 years?

Janette: I had retired from writing. When Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird decided to film When Calls the Heart, they introduced some new characters to the viewing audience. I had a phone call from them suggesting that

I could write a new series to correspond with the films. At first, I declined, but when they further suggested that I co-author, I thought of our daughter Laurel. She has previously published with Bethany House and is now in a space where she feels free to get back into writing. She was interested in the project, so

//Cover Story

»


Mother-Daughter Dream TeamJANETTE OKE AND LAUREL OKE LOGAN SHARE ABOUT THEIR LATEST WRITING ADVENTURE

WHERE COURAGE CALLS Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan (Baker Publishing Group)

Beth Thatcher has lived a privileged life. Now, inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, Beth has accepted a teaching position in the rugged foothills of Canada. She resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way. But the conditions in Coal Valley are worse than she’d feared. In addition, Beth’s heart is torn between two young men. She is determined to make a difference, but how long can she last on the western frontier?


together we have written the book titled Where Courage Calls, which will be out early in 2014.

Q: Tell us a little about Where Courage Calls.Laurel: The novel is a new adventure that we’re

adding to the “When Calls the Heart” books. It takes Elizabeth Thatcher’s niece—city girl Beth Thatcher—on a life-changing adventure from the safety of her father’s wealthy home to the coal mines of southern Alberta—against her mother’s better judgment.

Q: What is unique about the setting of Where Courage Calls?

Janette: The story of Beth Thatcher takes place during the roaring ’20s, a time when the world was quickly changing in so many ways after the first World War. Beth comes from a very wealthy, conservative home, and daring to venture out on her own is scary enough—but to form new worldviews, new parameters, new social standards and new relationships is totally mind-boggling, especially for a young girl who is not looking for a life partner—yet.

After the first World War, there was a measure of transition happening. In the past, the parents of the upper class were very involved in the process of matchmaking. Young ladies debuted into society. Proper young men were welcomed as suitors, others quietly rejected. In the time period of this story, more young women started seeking independence. Many were furthering their education and choosing to pursue careers. They began to be more exposed to the world and all of its possibilities and pitfalls. For many, it was a totally new world—one that frightened parents and excited youth. In a way, privileged young people were joining the society around them for the first time, whereas the lower classes had already been making such decisions on their own.

Q: As a mother-daughter team, what did you enjoy about writing together?

Janette: First of all, it gave me the wonderful excuse to spend more time with Laurel, which I always enjoy. It is always interesting how working together encourages and stimulates creativity. Ideas feed ideas. A dimension of fun is added to the task of writing.

Laurel: I definitely also enjoyed more visits and phone calls with mom, but also a chance to work

through the creative process with such a successful writer. I particularly like the way she develops her characters.

Q: When Calls the Heart has been made into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie and TV series, and your “Love Comes Softly” books have been made into the highest-ranking movies in Hallmark Channel history. What has it been like seeing your books adapted to film?

Janette: I just returned yesterday from the set where the story is being filmed. What a delightful experience. The entire cast and crew are working meticulously to make every scene all that it can be so that viewers will enjoy the story without considering the amount of effort that has gone into the production. It is a thrill to see the characters take on flesh and blood and become active and responding. I am so thankful for everyone who is working hard to preserve the integrity and faith I have been intent on presenting in the stories I have written.

Q: Talk about your writing journey. What first led you to become a writer?

Janette: I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in storytelling. Even as a small child, before I could put words on paper, I made up oral stories. Wanting to have training so that I would do things properly, I put off writing for many years. I wrote little bits of poetry or prose for my own need of expression, but these I tucked away rather than sharing them with anyone else. I was 42 when I tried my first novel. It was Love Comes Softly. Bethany House, after lengthy consideration, dared to publish it, not knowing if there would be a viable readership or not. There did prove to be those who enjoyed a simple story, of simple people, in an equally simple setting.

I don’t really think of myself as a pioneer. I was sure that there were many others, like me, who would have loved to have had material that better matched their worldview. I just wanted to write a simple story that might meet a need.

Laurel: Mom published her first novel when I was 12, but I remember her reading some of the unpublished stories to me too. And there are plenty of other writers in our family—it’s really part of the family legacy. So I found it fascinating to watch Mom work at this career all through my teen years and beyond. I’ve

//Cover Story continued

also always enjoyed the writing process—and that ideas and emotions can be conveyed through it. Writing is an amazing form of communication.

Q: What kind of response have you received from readers about your books?Janette: I receive quite a bit of mail, which I personally answer. The letters I have received

and answered over the years have often touched my heart. They’ve made me realize that God can take a reader beyond the words on the page to meet a particular need in life.

Q: Do you have a favorite character from one of your books?Janette: It seems that each time I write the story of another woman, I learn something

from her. Perhaps the lesson is there all the time, but sorting it through as I journey with her clarifies it in my heart and mind. Of course, being my “firstborn,” Marty Davis will always have a special place in my heart—but not necessarily first place.

As to the male characters in my books, Clark Davis borrows much from my father and for that he will always be special, but Wynn Delaney of When Calls the Heart represents much of my Canadian culture and understanding of life. He is a man of faith and a man of law, and I was raised to respect both.

Q: Are there any future writing projects in your plans?Janette: The answer is, perhaps. Laurel and I are thinking of a second book. Where we go

from there depends on the response from readers. At any rate, I do hope Laurel continues writing. I feel she has much to offer readers in whichever genre she decides to take in her future writing.

Laurel: I have a couple other projects that I’ve been working on. The last of our six kids has gone off to high school, so now that I’m done homeschooling them, I’ve got more time to write.

Q: Is there a message you hope readers will take away from Where Courage Calls?

Janette: As our protagonist, Beth, leaves her protected and affluent life for something that will test her in every way, her father gives her a Bible verse to cling to: Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Beth learns the reality of the verse as she faces some very difficult situations. We pray others will also realize the truth of the scriptural promise.

Best-selling and award-winning author JANETTE OKE is celebrated across the world for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. She is credited with launching the modern era of inspirational fiction with her first novel, Love Comes Softly. Today, her novels have sold more than 30 million copies. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.

LAUREL OKE LOGAN, daughter of Edward and Janette Oke, is author of Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie, as well as the novel Dana’s Valley, which she co-wrote with her mother. Laurel and her husband have six children and two sons-in-law and live near Indianapolis.



//author highlight

When my alarm went off at 5:00 the morning Prince William married Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, I rolled over and wondered, “Do I really want to crawl out of bed at this crazy hour just to watch people I don’t know get married—a prince and his girlfriend who live 5,000 miles away?”

But deep down I knew I couldn’t miss this royal wedding. Thirty years ago I’d watched the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer with utter fascination. How could I miss the wedding of their son?

We don’t have a TV at my house, so I found a live wedding stream and watched the royal proceedings with a bit of awe. I joined the Twitter conversation. I posted to Facebook.

Catherine Middleton’s composure and poise, confidence and beauty won me over, along with the rest of the world. How could she be so calm? Two billion people were watching her.

She’d walk into the church a commoner and walk out a royal. As I mused over her possible thoughts and feelings, I felt in many ways she was just like me. A younger version of me, but still, Kate Middleton was an ordinary girl marrying the man of her dreams. Just like women across America do every day. Just like I did 22 years ago.

If finding true love and becoming a royal could happen to Kate, it could happen to anyone.

At that moment, my imagination took hold, and I ventured into story world. What if an

Rachel HauckAs a RITA finalist and Carol Award

winner, Hauck was recently chosen by Family Fiction readers as one of the top

five romance authors in the Christian market. She has written more than 15 novels, including the acclaimed

“Songbird” novels with multi-Platinum country singer Sara Evans. Hauck lives

in Central Florida with her husband, and writes from her ivory tower, where

she does indeed have an office in a tower painted ivory.


American girl discovered she was a long-lost princess?

After several iterations, Regina Beswick’s story in Princess Ever After came to life as a kind of fairy tale based loosely on the classic The Princess and the Pea. She’s an everyday girl whose destiny is changed in an instant when she discovers she’s a long-lost princess.

One of the themes I love in Regina’s story is how God’s plans and dreams for us are so much greater than our own. We think we have our lives together, heading on the right path, then we hear, “God loves you, and He sent His Son to die for you.” That truth changes everything.

In Princess Ever After, Regina Beswick was born to be a princess. She just didn’t know it. Content to be a small-town girl running a classic auto restoration shop, she’s completely unaware a secret destiny awaits her.

How will she respond when she learns her country needs her?

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture of the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg tasked with bringing this headstrong princess home. However, he must overcome his own past and present fears if he’s to get the job done.

At the end of Princess Ever After, I hope you’ll realize God has a destiny for you. He’s not limited by time, age, race, gender or creed. All we have to do is believe.

Many blessings,

PRINCESS EVER AFTER(Thomas Nelson)Regina Beswick was born to be a princess. But she's content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her—one that will leap from the pages of her grandmother's hand-painted book of fairy tales.

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic minister of culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation's future—and his own.

Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever. Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she's destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together—with a little divine intervention—Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

modern-day fairy tale


//book highlight

As anyone who has attended one of Dr. Gary Chapman’s marriage conferences knows, his expertise in marriage begins with the success and failures he and his wife, Karolyn, have experienced in their marriage of more than 50 years. His own life experiences, plus more than 40 years as a pastor

and marriage counselor, led him to publish The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Many of its millions of readers credit the continual New York Times best-seller with saving their marriages.

When someone says, “I feel like my spouse doesn’t love me,” what are they really complaining about? After years of pondering this, he discovered that their answers fell into five categories that he now calls the five love languages—five fundamental ways to express emotional love.

Learning love languages can enhance relationships with parents, siblings and work associates and in the world of dating.

The good news is that all of these languages can be learned. Those who have never spoken a particular love language will find the learning curve to be steeper, but not impossible. For instance, if they did not grow up hearing “words of affirmation,” it may take more time for them to feel comfortable speaking such words. What Chapman suggests is taking small steps to get started. It may take some time to see results, but with a sincere effort being made, changes will begin to take place. Chapman knows this to be true, as it happened in his own marriage, and he’s heard from countless others who have shared similar

stories with him.Here are the five love languages:

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION“You look nice in that outfit.” “I really appreciate

what you did.” These phrases express affirmation. Words of affirmation may focus on the way a person looks, some action he or she has taken or something about that individual’s personality or character.

ACTS OF SERVICEIn a partnership, this might look like a massage,

cooking a scrumptious meal or taking out the trash. In a friendship, this might be helping with a computer problem or offering a lift to the airport. If this is your primary love language, then the old saying that “actions speak louder than words” will be true.

RECEIVING GIFTSThere is no culture in which gift-giving is

not seen as an expression of love. The gift

Here’s the key to enhancing all of

your relationships

What’sYourLove Language?


communicates: “He/she was thinking about me. Look what he/she gave me.” It implies thought, effort and expense. Yet the gift need not be expensive. In this love language, getting a thoughtful present says that the giver genuinely loves and appreciates the recipient.

QUALITY TIMEThe person who equates love

with time spent together will want to sit on the couch and have extended conversations and not feel rushed or be looking at a phone, but instead right into the other person’s eyes. Quality time does not always involve conversation. It can be just taking a walk, planting a garden or exercising together. What communicates love is the fact that you give the gift of time and your undivided attention.

PHYSICAL TOUCHWe have long known the

emotional power of physical touch. That’s why we pick up babies and cuddle them. In a partnership, this is expressed in lovemaking, holding hands, embracing, kissing or placing an arm around the shoulder of the one you love. In a friendship, this might be a high five, a pat on the back, a firm handshake or a hand on a friend’s shoulder.

FIND YOUR OWN LANGUAGEAsk yourself three simple

questions:1. How do I most often express

love and appreciation to others? You can give and receive love in all five languages, but the one that resonates with you is your primary love language. It’s the way you say love—and wish to receive it.

2. What do I complain about most often? Your complaint helps reveal

your love language.3. What do I request most often? If

you find yourself frequently asking, “Can you help me?” your language is likely “acts of service.” If “How do I look in this outfit?” is something you say a lot, then you are a “words of affirmation” speaker.

To discover someone else’s love language, observe that person’s behavior and ask the same three questions. It’s as simple as that, but the knowledge is profound.

The 5 Love Languages includes a simple profile that can help a person discover his or her primary love

language, and see how the others rank in order. All are important, but one will matter most, and then you can begin to give and receive love.

GARY CHAPMAN, PH.D. | is author of the best-selling “The 5 Love Languages” series, which has sold more than 9 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 49 languages. Dr. Chapman travels the world presenting seminars on marriage, family and relationships, and his radio programs air on more than 400 stations. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Karolyn.

THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES(Northfield Publishing)Falling in love is easy, but maintaining healthy relationships is a lifelong pursuit. Once you understand the “love languages,” you’ll be able to nurture not only a romantic relationship, but also casual, business and familial relationships effectively. With more 8 million copies sold, Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages will help you succeed in having joyful, enduring relationships.

THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES: MEN’S EDITION(Northfield Publishing)A relationship book from a man’s perspective is a big plus. Discovering that the key to interpreting your wife’s feelings (and expressing your own) isn’t a gender issue? That’s an even bigger breakthrough. Dr. Gary Chapman helps turn evocative marital issues into manageable, practical action points.

More love languages

Love Language?


Angels are created beings. There are warring angels,

ministering angels and angels sent specifically to protect us. There are lots of different kinds of angels, but they really have only one purpose, and that is to help us.

They are the links between heaven and earth. God’s Spirit reveals Himself to us, and His angels are His logistic agents. So they help us get from one place to another. They protect us from certain things and

events. They protect us from things that the enemy (Satan) wants to happen. Our goal is to live a life that allows God to be justified in sending them to help us. Some angels are sent to help other angels. For example, angels could be sent to help the angel who has been assigned to you. Some people have more than one angel because of the callings God has on their lives and because of the difficulty of what they are going through or will be going through.

//book excerpt

Lunch With an Angel John Paul Jackson offers insights into the wonder of heavenly beings

© I

ST

OC

KP

HO

TO

/F

ITZ

ER

; H

IDE

SY


The angels personally assigned to us are with us for all of our lives. When angels are assigned to us, they often take on an appearance like ours and look like us. In fact, angels who are assigned to children often will take the form of a child.

We know angels can look like us because of the story in the New Testament when Peter was freed from jail and went to the house of Mary (Acts 12:5-18). When he arrived and knocked, the servant girl Rhoda opened the door and on seeing Peter thought it was his angel because she knew Peter was in jail. The only logical conclusion we can take from her reaction is that it was commonly known among the early believers that angels looked like the person they were assigned to. Otherwise there’s no explanation for why Rhoda would think she saw Peter’s angel and not Peter himself.

We also know angels can look like humans

because the Bible tells us we can be unaware we are entertaining angels (Heb. 13:2). How could we be unaware we are entertaining angels unless it’s because they look like people? So we know from Scripture that angels can look like humans or they can come in the glory of heaven—which is when, as many Bible stories say, we melt at their feet like dead men. For example, when the angels appeared to Daniel, he fell at their feet. John also fell at the feet of the angel who came to him. This is because those angels didn’t come as men; they came in their heavenly glory.

But when they come in human forms, we can actually ask them to lunch! Abraham did this. When the Lord and two angels came to talk with Abraham, Abraham invited them to lunch, and they stayed. The Lord and His two angels sat down and ate with Abraham.

ANGEL STORIES(Charisma House)Angel Stories, based on Jonathan Nixon’s inspirational documentary, brings you a collection of encounters told by a “who’s who” of Christian leaders, including this Scriptural account from John Paul Jackson. Told primarily in first person, these powerful stories present the case for the existence of angels, explore their purpose and give you biblical insight into this fascinating subject.

JOHN PAUL JACKSON | Considered an authority on dream interpretation, Jackson is a respected Bible teacher and founder of Streams Ministries International based near Dallas.


//book excerpt

BILLY’S HUMILITY and modesty are perhaps more obvious than Ruth’s because he was constantly in the public eye and therefore was observed more. Ruth, however, was just as humble as her husband. Nevertheless, she also needed to be continually reminded of how quickly the ego can take over.

A friend once wrote to Ruth, kidding her about the informal way she behaved around VIPs. Ruth responded with a letter saying:

“It doesn’t pay to feel important. The only time I ever walked across a stage feeling important, I found out later that my slip was showing. The Lord has a way of cutting us down to size, too. But I hope not to give him another opportunity.“

Ruth did everything to avoid giving the impression that she was a superwoman who succeeded in everything. That made her so approachable. The people around her liked to confide in her and share their problems with her. She received many letters from people seeking her advice and spent many hours replying to them. When doing so, she never hid her own weaknesses. She particularly felt that she had failed when it came to her children’s upbringing:

“The very first thing in raising children is to be the woman that God wants me to be, and this is where I have fallen so far short. ... I think how often I have failed my kids on this. I expected more of them spiritually than I was willing to give myself. ... I’m afraid—and this is a confession—I’m not a good disciplinarian, to the children’s detriment. ... I usually just give in on a point if the children press it. Or, if I get really upset, I’m likely to be too strict with them when I shouldn’t have been. I

think a good disciplinarian is much more objective and consistent than that.”

As the Grahams’ oldest daughter, Gigi experienced quite a strict education, whereas Ned, as the youngest child, tended to be spoiled, as is often the case in families with many children.

Ruth never hid the fact that she sometimes had strong differences of opinion with Billy in the early years of their marriage, but they never argued in front of the children. Gigi once remarked that she would have preferred for her parents to have argued in front of them. Experiencing that would have helped her to handle disagreements in her own marriage better. When Ruth was asked on camera if she had ever considered divorcing her husband, she replied with a twinkle in her eyes, “Divorcing never, but killing several times.”

Once, shortly after her wedding, she was so frustrated with Billy for not taking her with him to downtown Chicago so she could do some window shopping while he and his associates were having a man’s day

From Page 17: Ruth and Billy Graham at their wedding in 1943.

From Page 64: A kitchen scene with Ruth Graham and daughter Gigi in their first house in Montreat before they built the log cabin on the mountain.


HANSPETER NÜESCH has been national director of Campus Crusade for Christ in Switzerland for 30 years and held various leadership functions within Campus Crusade for Christ International. The director of six EXPLO-Congresses, including EXPLO 2000 International, Nüesch also has pioneered partnership ministries in Cuba, Francophone Africa, Russia, the Himalayas, Japan and North Korea. He has been the facilitator of ChristDay movements in several countries, helping to unite many thousands in prayer for their towns and nations. A personal friend of the Graham family, Nüesch lives with his wife, Vreni, in Switzerland.

that she prayed to God, “Lord, when you forgive me that I married this man, I promise you to never do it again.” She had obviously not lost her sense of humor despite her aggravated state. Yet she could also rave about Billy. One entry in her diary after they had started dating reads:

“[Bill] has been an inspiration. Sleeping almost none, [giving] all the time, so dead in earnest, all else falls in line with the longing to make Christ known in all His saving power. Filled with the Spirit, humble, thoughtful, unpretentious, courteous. And the verse stands out vividly: ‘Neither count I my life dear unto myself.’ ... No reserve. Just giving. Desiring only to be well-pleasing to Him.”

Decades later, when she was over seventy, Ruth added:

“I just thank God for the privilege that He has allowed me to be married to the man that I think is the finest man I know. So it has been a privilege to share him with the rest of the world.”

She emphasized that it had not always been easy to be the wife of a famous man, and she had often wished that he had been home more often. But the Lord had never promised that the Christian life would be easy. One way or another, she had always preferred, as she often stated, “to have a little bit of Bill than a lot of any other man.”

Excerpted from Ruth & Billy Graham: The Legacy of a Couple (Baker Publishing Group) by Hanspeter Nüesch.

From Page 71: The entire family welcomes the new baby in 1958. From left to right: Ruth, Ned, Franklin, Bunny, Gigi, Anne, Billy.

From Page 173: Billy and Ruth Graham and their son Ned in front of their home. In their personal life as well as Billy’s public ministry, they upheld marriage and family values.


Compiled by three of Billy Graham’s grandchildren, Thank You, Billy Graham will encourage and inspire you with a beautiful picture of a life well lived—a life lived in

faithfulness to the God who made you, loves you and offers you salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Here are a couple of stories to enjoy today:

A FAMILY CHANGEDIt was a Monday night under a starry sky—July 13, 1964. Billy

Graham rose to the platform, and it was electrifying. In our 14 years of life (we’re triplets), it was the biggest crowd, the biggest event, we had ever been a part of. Our whole family was there: our parents, the three of us, our younger sister and two younger brothers. We were church attenders in a fairly liberal church, so we had never heard the plan of salvation before Dr. Graham came to the podium. That night, he made it clear, even for our young understanding, that we needed a Savior.

I’m not sure what text Dr. Graham used, but what I do know is that when “Just As I Am” began, the three of us and our 12-year-old brother all went forward. I look back on that night and realize that I didn’t completely understand all that took place. And still, almost fifty years later, I am awed and stand in wonder at the truths I learned that night. I am amazed at the complexity of a plan that offers forgiveness because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the simplicity of a plan that says, “Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Again, I’m not sure what the counselor said, but I do remember that, later that evening driving home, I looked up to the sky from the car window, knowing, knowing, that if something should happen, I was going to heaven. I am still amazed by that.

Today, all of our siblings, our children and our grandchildren who are old enough to make a decision for Christ have done

THANK YOU, BILLY GRAHAM(Barbour Publishing)Billy Graham. You know his name, his faith, his ministry—now enjoy the inspiring, heartwarming, personal stories of his legacy in Thank You, Billy Graham. This brand-new book includes scores of thank-you notes collected on the website ThankYouBilly.com, sharing moving stories of God’s grace, love and power in the lives of real people.

// book highlight

Thank You, Billy GrahamGrandchildren of ‘America’s pastor’ compile stories of gratitude from people around the world

that. In our family, we have pastors, full- and part-time missionaries, Sunday school and Bible teachers, counselors and soul winners. That night, we made the best decision any of us could have ever made. Not only were individuals changed, but also the legacy of an entire family, the direction of generations, was changed. Thank you, Dr. Graham, for being faithful on July 13, 1964, to share the plan of salvation. That night, our names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and we are eternally grateful. —Kris, Karen and Kathie

‘BILLY, MAY I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH?’I was 12 years old when Billy came to Pittsburgh in

1952. My mother, a faithful listener of The Hour of Decision, convinced our little church to charter a bus and attend one of the meetings. Growing up in a Christian home, I was aware of Billy Graham, and even in those days he was kind of an icon for believers.

We arrived early and found our seats, and I noticed Billy and the team checking out the stadium from the infield. As Billy and the team left, they went through the dugout right below us. Excited, I asked permission from my mom to go and see if I could get Billy’s autograph. She approved, and I bounded over the fence before I realized that they were already in the dugout tunnel headed back up underneath the stands. I followed and called out to Billy from quite a distance in my young boy’s voice: “Billy, may I have your autograph?” He immediately turned and came back toward me, met me halfway and very humbly gave me what I wanted. At the time you’d have thought I had just gotten an autograph from Mickey Mantle.

Only years later, after seeing this wonderful servant of the Lord rise to prominence, did I realize how rare that little encounter was—that a person of his stature would take time for a snot-nosed kid and even give him the time of day, much less give that kid something to hold onto for life. Now I realize how Christ felt and acted when the “least of these” came to see Him. —Anonymous


MEET BILLY’S GRANDCHILDRENMeet the grandchildren of “Daddy Billy” who have lovingly collected and compiled this tribute to their grandfather:

Jerushah Armfield, Billy Graham’s 12th grandchild, grew up in South Florida where she met and married her high school sweetheart. With her husband, Chris, she now parents their two children and serves in a local church in Greenville, S.C. Jerushah is also involved in ministries such as foster care,

adoption and women’s discipleship.

Aram Tchividjian, Graham’s 10th grandchild, grew up in South Florida and now lives in Boynton Beach. He is senior web developer for a Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., agency and father of three kids. In 2008, he coauthored Invitation, a book about his grandfather’s ministry.

Basyle “Boz” Tchividjian, Graham’s third grandchild, is a former child-abuse prosecutor who currently teaches at Liberty University School of Law. Boz is the founder and executive director of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), designed to educate and equip the faith community to confront

and address child abuse.

Do you want to thank Billy Graham? Visit ThankYouBilly.com to share your gratitude!


SIGNED IN HIS BLOOD(Charisma House)The Bible paints a vivid picture of an unseen, but real war going on in the heavens. Rev. 12:11 describes some of the weapons available to God’s people for “fighting the good fight.” The first weapon mentioned is Christ’s blood. Signed in His Blood explains the amazing relationship between Christ’s blood and our covenant with God, bringing together the Old and the New Testaments to demonstrate the incredible hope we have in Jesus for freedom and deliverance.

Wonder-Working PowerThe blood of Jesus is the most vital weapon in your spiritual battles

//book excerpt

And He HAs mAde from one blood every nAtion of men to dwell on All tHe fAce of tHe eArtH.

—Acts 17:26, nkjv

You’ve probably heard the sayings, “Blood is thicker

than water,” referring to the bond between blood relatives; or “blood in and blood out,” noting gang initiation and exodus; or “in cold blood,” relating to callous killings. Even “purple heart” is a reference to blood. It is clear that we are conscious of the fact that blood gives and sustains life, but this is not only true biologically. Blood is also just as vital to our spiritual life. A proper understanding of blood, especially the atoning power of Jesus’ blood, is essential if, as Christians, we are to live a full and meaningful life and know how to overcome the enemy of our souls.

Blood shows up throughout Scripture, not only on the Old

Testament battlefields, but also as the bond that gives life to relationships. In fact, blood is called the scarlet thread of the Scriptures. Evangelist D.L. Moody said, “If you cut the crimson thread that binds the Bible, it falls to pieces.” It is Christ’s blood that washes us of our sins (Rev. 1:5). It is His blood that purifies (Heb. 9:22), justifies (Rom. 5:9) and empowers us to serve God (Heb. 9:14). And it is by Jesus’ blood that we have been reconciled to God (Col. 1:19-20). Through the blood of Christ—not merely the death of Christ, but specifically through His blood—God made peace between heaven and earth.

Preachers in every generation have understood the importance of blood

for salvation. St. John Chrysostom called the blood of Jesus “the saviour of souls,” St. Thomas Aquinas called it “the key to heaven’s treasures,” and St. Ambrose referred to it as “pure gold of ineffable worth.”

Of all the themes in the Bible, blood is one of the most important. The Bible indicates that blood, specifically Jesus’ blood:

l Establishes relationships with God

l Is the only means of receiving forgiveness for sin

l Opens the human heart to receive healing

l Closes the mouths of deceiving spirits

l Demolishes the doctrines of demons

l Energizes the human spirit

© I

ST

OC

KP

HO

TO

/P

AV

ILA

; J

AN

AK

AM

AH

AR

AG

ED

HA

RM

AS

EN

A


l Empowers us to resist sin

l Cleans up a bad conscience

l Gives meaning and direction to life

l Guarantees our entrance into God’s presence

l Brings Jesus into focus

Why is there such power in this red substance? Many Christians know the blood of Jesus is vital to our salvation. They know that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Heb. 9:22) and no way for mankind to be brought back into fellowship with God. But

there is more.Without blood, there

would be no covenant with God in the first place, because God has chosen to use blood to seal lasting agreements between Himself and the people He created. From the first drop shed when God slaughtered animals to

make skins to cover Adam’s and Eve’s nakedness and their sin all the way to the new covenant, blood has allowed mankind to have a relationship with God. This crucial role blood plays in covenants with God makes it a powerful weapon in the unseen, but very real war going on in the heavens.

RAY BEESON | As founder of Overcomers Ministries, a teaching ministry with a special emphasis on spiritual warfare and prayer, Beeson teaches seminars on spiritual warfare, prayer and Christlike living, and is author of numerous books, including The Real Battle and Strategic Spiritual Warfare, and coauthor of The Hidden Price of Greatness and Don’t Miss the Point.


//book excerpt

When Scripture, science and history align, it’s rare, yet the last three series of Four Blood

Moons have done exactly that. Are these the “signs” that God refers to in His Word? If they are, what do they mean?

Just as in biblical times, God is controlling the sun, moon and stars to send our generation a signal that something big is about to happen. The question is: Are we listening?

In John Hagee’s New York Times best-selling book, Four Blood Moons (Worthy Publishing), with the help of God’s Word and some astute scientists, he walks readers through history and shows how God Almighty is shouting His message to the world: “Get ready! I’m getting ready to shake everything that can be shaken!”

The Bible and NASA scientists agree that “signs in the heavens” are increasing in number and intensity.

“When I began my search for answers to the challenging question—‘Have you ever considered the sun, moon and stars in the study of prophecy?’—I wondered who would have a record of the appearances of blood moons,” Hagee said.

The obvious answer was NASA. “I began to Google the NASA lunar

signals,” Hagee said. “I thought maybe these signs in the heavens refer to Israel. God is the defender of Israel. He created Israel. Israel is His firstborn son (Ex. 4:22). Maybe these lunar warnings are meant for Israel, so I Googled, ‘Moon eclipse in 1948.’ ”

What Dr. Hagee saw on his computer screen made him “literally leap out of my chair.” It read: “Four ‘blood-red’ total lunar eclipses will fall on Passover and Sukkot in 2014 and 2015, the same back-to-back occurrences at the time of 1492, 1949 and 1967.”

Those three dates are perhaps the most important in all of Israel’s history. Three times in the past 500 years, this tetrad—four blood moons—has occurred, linked to Jewish history. And now it’s getting ready to happen a fourth time.

The expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 was world-changing. The mantle of prosperity was lifted from Spain and placed on the shoulders of the infant nation that would become the United States of America. God used the four blood moons of 1493-94 as

FOUR BLOOD MOONS(Worthy Publishing)Inspired by biblical prophecy, NASA projections and recorded history, John Hagee reveals direct connections between four upcoming blood-moon eclipses and what they portend for Israel and all of humankind. In the last 500 years, blood-red moons have fallen on the first day of Passover three separate times. These occurrences were connected to some of the most significant days in Jewish history: 1492 (the final year of the Spanish Inquisition when Jews were expelled from Spain); 1948 (statehood for Israel and the War of Independence); and 1967 (the Six-Day War). Every heavenly body is controlled by the unseen hand of God, which signals coming events to humanity. There are no solar or lunar accidents. The next series of four blood moons occurs at Passover and Sukkot in 2014 and 2015. In this riveting book, Hagee explores what these blood moons mean and why Christians must understand these signs and what they bode for Israel and for the world.

SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO CHANGEBest-selling author John Hagee explains what ‘blood moons’ mean for Israel, Christians and the world

I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath. Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.The sun shall be turned into darkness,And the moon into blood,Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to passThat whoever calls on the name of the LordShall be saved. —Acts 2:19-20


an announcement to the world that everything was about to change.

The second appearance of four blood moons linked to Jewish history was reported in 1949-50. They occurred during the rebirth of the state of Israel, which began in 1948.

The third occurrence of a tetrad of blood moons in the past 500 years was in 1967-68, the year the city of Jerusalem was united with Israel for the first time in 2,000 years.

“Jerusalem is unlike any city on the face of the Earth, because Jerusalem is the city of God,” Hagee said. “This was a monumental prophetic event; God lit up the heavens to celebrate what had happened.”

What are the common denominators in 1492, 1949 and 1967? They all center on significant events for the Jewish people.

“In 1492, the Jewish people were killed in Spain by the Roman Church because they dared to practice their faith. Their properties were taken by force and given to the state. Many of the Jewish people gave their children to Protestants to raise because they knew they were going to die trying to escape. That’s a trail of tears.

“But then America was discovered, and the Jewish people had a home where they could live in peace, prosperity and security. That’s triumph. In 1949, the Jewish people had just endured the horror of the Holocaust. In seven years, six million Jews were systematically slaughtered by Hitler’s Nazis. It was an unspeakable valley of tears. Then came the rebirth of Israel, the dream of Zion, re-emerging hope from the God of all hope.

“The Old Testament prophets clearly state that when the Jewish people return from their second exile,

they will never be removed from the land again. I am simply saying that the Iranians, the Russians, the Arab Spring uprising—it’s not going to remove Israel! God Almighty is going to defend Israel Himself! Israel will prevail.”

Four blood-red moons are going to appear. NASA has projected that this is going to happen starting in 2014 and will occur as follows:

1. April 15, 2014 on the Jewish Passover

2. Oct. 8, 2014 on the Feast of Tabernacles

3. April 4, 2015 on the Jewish Passover

4. Sept. 28, 2015 on the Feast of Tabernacles

Although the author explains that the coming appearance of the four blood moons does not necessarily mean the rapture is going to happen at that time (Matt. 24:36, nkjv), he believes the church does need to be aware of the event’s significance.

“The church is soon to leave the world,” Hagee said. “We are seeing signs of the end of this age.

“Jesus said, ‘When these signs begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near’ (Luke 21:28, nkjv).

“We’re getting ready to leave here. The King is coming! He is coming soon with power and great glory, and His reward is with Him (Is. 40:10). Are you ready? Are the members of your family ready? It’s the greatest question you will need to answer in this life!”

Excerpted from the New York Times best-seller Four Blood Moons (Worthy Publishing)

John Hagee is author of several New York Times best-sellers, including Jerusalem Countdown, which has sold more than 1 million copies. He is founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a nondenominational evangelical church with more than 20,000 active members. He is also founder and president of John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts his radio and television teachings throughout America and in 249 nations. In addition, Hagee is founder and national chairman of Christians United for Israel, a grass-roots association with more than 1 million members. Hagee and his wife, Diana, have five children and 13 grandchildren.


Sensing the Passion Behind ‘The Jeremiah Study Bible’

B ible teacher David Jeremiah is committed to helping

people understand God’s Word and permanently transforming their lives.

The purpose of The Jeremiah Study Bible can be boiled down to the three-step process I advocate for the study of God’s Word:

1. Observation—seeing what it says

2. Interpretation—understanding what it means

3. Application—embracing what it means for me

As you read this study Bible, pray that God will help you learn what His Word says, what it means and what it means for you. It will change your life!

The best illustration of how and why to study the Word of God is found in the following passage from the book of Nehemiah: “[The priest] Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people … and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ … And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the

ground” (Neh. 8:5-6, nkjv).When Ezra and the other

priests “read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God … they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8).

The Holy Spirit uses words of application to bring Bible study home to the heart. In other words, Ezra and his fellow priests read the Word, they explained what it meant and finally, they helped the people apply it to their lives.

A diligent study of the Word will bring us to a place of worship. The impact of the gospel, combined with the sheer grace of God, will cause us to bow before Him and celebrate His goodness. It will also compel us to confess how far we are from His standard.

You see, the Bible is grounded in real life, even as it opens up the far reaches of eternity to Earth-weary travelers. It is filled with emotion and heartfelt experiences that we all can relate to. And as we study, occasionally it will drive us to our knees in repentance or move us to fall on our faces before God in gratitude or adoration,

penitence or grief. The two elements that

are present at every revival are the study of God’s Word and the mobilization of God’s people. The Israelites went forth after hearing the words of Scripture, and they sought fellowship and started to minister—all because its truths had penetrated their hearts. When the people embraced the Word of God, they took action.

The Jeremiah Study Bible is designed with your spiritual growth in mind. It includes a treasure trove of resources to aid your study:

BOOK INTRODUCTIONSFor each of the 66

books of the Bible, I have developed a brief yet highly informative introduction that summarizes each book’s core message along with the historical and spiritual background out of which it was born. These introductions provide a wonderful starting point for discerning the context and content of the books. In addition, by using the QR code provided in the Bible, you can access my video introduction for each book.

//bible highlight

THE JEREMIAH STUDY BIBLE(Worthy Publishing)Drawing from more than 40 years of study from one of America’s most respected Bible teachers, The Jeremiah Study Bible will be a legacy resource for daily readers and serious students of the Scriptures.

• New King James Version• Words of Christ in red• Unique introductions by Dr. Jeremiah• 8,000 study notes with in-note references• Hundreds of sidebars• Quick-glance sidebar index• More than 60 “Essentials of the Christian Faith” articles• Nearly 100 charts and maps• Geographical and archaeological information• Teacher’s topical index• Extensive general concordance• QR codes to additional online resources

FEATURES


STUDY NOTESAt the bottom of each

page, you will find study notes—more than 8,000 in all. My intent with these notes is to help you connect with the three elements of the study process: what it says, what it means and what it means for you.

CROSS-REFERENCES Many Bibles have

elaborate center-column or in-text cross-reference systems. To make cross-references easier to use, The Jeremiah Study Bible has an extensive cross-reference system embedded in the study

notes at the bottom of each page.

ONLINE RESOURCES The Jeremiah Study

Bible also offers additional online resources that can be accessed directly via your computer, tablet or smartphone, or you can simply download an app to connect to the QR codes printed in each of the 66 book introductions. Video introductions to every Bible book along with video clips, articles and other materials are readily available to readers of The Jeremiah Study Bible. Because I don’t intend to stop teaching

anytime soon, our team will continue to add new and helpful study aids online.

SIDEBARSCarefully positioned

within the text throughout this study Bible are hundreds of sidebars that offer additional insight and application, expanding far beyond the study notes. The sidebars are grouped under six headings:

Picture This—calls attention to dozens of enlightening and teachable word pictures and studies.

Historically Speaking—highlights many interesting historical characters,

customs and places that make Scripture come alive.

FYI—adds surprising insights, color and practical application to your exploration of the Bible.

Tough Questions—tackles difficult personal and doctrinal questions with wisdom and fresh perspective.

For Reflection—asks you to pause and reflect on biblical truths and thought-provoking expressions that will pique your interest and touch your heart.

Teaching Points—shares practical, teachable moments from my 40 years as a Bible teacher. »

In this inspiring devotional based on her best-

selling book, Cindy Trimm helps you achieve

victory over your circumstances through spoken

declarations that activate God’s power. Begin

each day by commanding your morning and know

that whatever begins with God has to end right.

12335

978-1-62136-609-6 | US $15.99

//bible highlight continued

ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Placed strategically throughout the study Bible are more than 60 full-page articles that bear unique importance to a Christian’s understanding of faith. I’ve chosen subjects that

demand more treatment than a note or sidebar could contain on topics critical to the reader’s spiritual vitality.

TEACHER’S TOPICAL INDEX

A specially created topical index for Bible

teachers lists the primary themes covered in the content of this Bible as well as key references.

GENERAL CONCORDANCEAn 80-page Bible

concordance will aid you in finding key words.

OTHER RESOURCESThe Jeremiah Study

Bible includes a variety of charts and maps that are keyed to particular Bible passages to bring even greater relevance and understanding to your reading.

DR. DAVID JEREMIAH | A man with a passionate commitment to teach the Word of God, Dr. Jeremiah has an extraordinary ability to communicate and a dedicated worldwide audience. Since 1981, he has been senior pastor of the 8,000-member Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif., a suburb of San Diego. For more than 30 years, Dr. Jeremiah has led a global ministry anchored by his nationwide television broadcast seen in approximately 200 million homes each week. Including the Turning Point weekly radio program, now heard on more than 1,800 stations and outlets worldwide, he has a weekly audience of more than 10 million. He is author of more than 40 books, including multiple New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-sellers such as Captured by Grace; What in the World Is Going On?; and God Loves You—He Always Has, He Always Will. Drawing on more than 40 years of in-depth Bible study, Dr. Jeremiah has produced The Jeremiah Study Bible, a deeply personal and comprehensive study of God’s Word with one clear goal in mind—to help you understand what God is saying to you today.

Purchase Your Copy Today!

12

20

2

C elebrating 20 years of this timeless message, The Bait of Satan from best-selling author John Bevere inspires you to resist falling into the

enemy’s deadly trap of offense and to be free without a victim mentality.


//book excerpt

The word “Aha” is defined this way: “a sudden understanding, recognition or resolution.” For our purposes, an AHA moment is “a sudden spiritual understanding, recognition or resolution that brings about lasting transformation.”

A spiritual AHA is the moment in someone’s life when they collide with God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. Everything changes in that collision, which is why watching it happen is one of my favorite parts of being a pastor. I see it most every weekend at church, and I listen to people as they share about their spiritual awakening.

One woman told me about her impulsive eating habits. For her, there was nothing a day could throw at her that she couldn’t eat away. Facing anxiety from an upcoming project, she would bring home two or three desserts and eat them all in one evening. Despite trying every diet and exercise fad, she reached 325 pounds. She reached a point of absolute depression, which only furthered her eating. After months of the vicious cycle of depression and bingeing she realized, Food is never going to fill the emptiness in my heart.

She had been trying to satisfy her soul by feeding her stomach.When she came to church, she heard a message from John 6 where Jesus

describes Himself as the “Bread of Life.” She suddenly realized in that moment that she had been turning to food to do for her what only Jesus can do. That was four years and 170 pounds ago. The outward change is really just a byproduct of the inner transformation she experienced when she started to look to Jesus to fill the emptiness of her heart.

AHA.

This article was adapted from AHA, © 2014 by Kyle Idleman. Published by David C Cook. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

KYLE IDLEMAN is teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., one of the largest churches in America. He is author of the best-selling book Not a Fan. He and his wife, DesiRae, have four children.

Recognizing the ‘AHA MOMENT’By Kyle Idleman

BESTSELLING AUTHOR of Gods at War and Not a Fan

“Kyle’s words are, at once, profound and practical.”

- Max Lucado

“Kyle will challenge even the most obedient Christians

to relook at their relationship with Christ.”

- Mike Huckabee

“Kyle will challenge you to grow from a

fairweather fan to a full-time follower of Christ.”

- Craig Groeschel

What people are saying about Kyle ...

Three incredible journeys, millions of lives changed

90 Minutes in Heaven

� e mega-bestseller that started it all. A� er a semi-truck collided with Don Piper’s car, he was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next ninety minutes, he experienced the glories of h eaven. Miraculously, Piper came back to life, and the pleasure of heaven was replaced by a long and painful recovery. For nearly a decade, his incredible story has been changing lives all over the world. Let it change yours too.

Flight to Heaven � e only survivor of a horri� c plane crash, Capt. Dale Black was hovering between life and death when he had a wondrous experience of heaven. Now, with his life as a testament, he o� ers hope, encouragement, and assurance about this life and the next.

My Journey to Heaven Marv Besteman shares the true story of his experience of heaven with astounding detail. You’ll meet angels, overhear his conversation with St. Peter, and experience the joy he feels as he recognizes friends and family in heaven.

christian book reader february/march 2014

Documents

new book

pioneer author

christian book reader

author john hagees

author kyle idleman

floridabased author

author ray beeson

usa f e b r u